U.S. patent application number 10/381286 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for camera-equipped cellular telephone.
Invention is credited to Ishigaki, Junji, Monden, Takao, Nagura, Makoto, Nakanishi, Kiyoshi.
Application Number | 20040032503 10/381286 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19036111 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040032503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Monden, Takao ; et
al. |
February 19, 2004 |
Camera-equipped cellular telephone
Abstract
The invention aims at providing a cell phone equipped with a
camera arranged so that the camera shutter may be automatically
operated through control from another telephone set or cell phone.
In order to attain the object, the invention provides a cell phone
equipped with a camera arranged so that the camera shutter is
automatically operated based on an incoming call signal
corresponding to an incoming call or based on a specific signal
received after a response to the incoming call signal while the
cell phone is in the camera mode.
Inventors: |
Monden, Takao;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Ishigaki, Junji;
(Hachioji-shi, JP) ; Nagura, Makoto; (Machida-shi,
JP) ; Nakanishi, Kiyoshi; (Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEARNE & GORDON LLP
1801 EAST 9TH STREET
SUITE 1200
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-3108
US
|
Family ID: |
19036111 |
Appl. No.: |
10/381286 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
May 16, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP02/04746 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/207.99 ;
348/211.2; 348/E5.043 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72415 20210101;
H04M 1/72484 20210101; H04N 5/23203 20130101; H04M 2250/52
20130101; H04M 1/57 20130101; H04M 1/724 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/207.99 ;
348/211.2 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 29, 2001 |
JP |
2001-198713 |
Claims
1. A cell phone equipped with a camera wherein the cell phone
comprises a camera whose shutter is automatically operated based on
an incoming call signal corresponding to an incoming call to the
cell phone while the cell phone is set to the camera mode.
2. A cell phone equipped with a camera according to claim 1,
wherein the cell phone comprises comparing means for comparing a
signal for identifying the caller received together with an
incoming call signal matches a pre-registered specific signal and
means for automatically operating the shutter of the camera when
the comparing means has detected that the two signals match each
other.
3. A cell phone equipped with a camera wherein the cell phone
comprises means for automatically answering an incoming call and a
camera whose shutter is automatically operated when a specific
signal from the caller is received with the incoming call answered
by the answering means and the cell phone set to the camera
mode.
4. A cell phone equipped with a camera wherein the cell phone
comprises comparing means for comparing a signal for identifying
whether the caller received together with an incoming call signal
matches a pre-registered specific signal, means for answering the
incoming call only when the comparing means has detected that the
two signals match each other, and a camera whose shutter is
automatically operated when a specific signal from the caller is
received with the incoming call answered by the answering
means.
5. A cell phone equipped with a camera according to claim 3 or 4,
wherein the specific signal from the caller may be arbitrarily set
through negotiation with the caller.
6. A cell phone equipped with a camera according to any one of
claims 1 through 5, wherein the cell phone comprises storage means
for storing a picture shot with a camera and display means for
arbitrarily calling the picture through operation on operation
means.
7. A cell phone equipped with a camera according to any one of
claims 1 through 5, wherein the cell phone comprises transmission
means for transmitting a picture shot with a camera based on an
instruction signal to transmit a picture shot with the camera when
the instruction signal is received.
8. A cell phone equipped with a camera according to claim 7,
comprising storage means for storing a picture shot with a camera,
wherein a picture shot with the camera is read from the storage
means and transmitted to the caller based on the instruction
signal.
9. A cell phone equipped with a camera according to any one of
claims 7 through 8, wherein the cell phone comprises means for
transmitting an instruction signal to transmit a picture shot with
a camera.
Description
DESCRIPTION
[0001] A cell phone equipped with a camera
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a cell phone equipped with
a camera arranged so that the camera shutter may be automatically
operated through control from another telephone set.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] In recent years, cell phones have incorporated a variety of
functions and the size and weight of a cell phone have been
dramatically reduced. In particular, recent cell phones are capable
of communicating data and images as well as voice, thus remarkably
expanding their applications.
[0006] Under such circumstances, a cell phone equipped with a
camera is already known.
[0007] However, on such cell phones, the shutter of a camera
provided on a cell phone can be operated only on the cell phone,
not by other apparatus.
[0008] For these cell phones, to take a picture of all participants
such as friends of yours in a travel, you must ask someone else at
the photography shooting site to take the picture.
[0009] Meanwhile, concerning a camera itself, an automatic shutter
using a timer and a remote controller using an infrared ray are
known. These approaches each requires a special shutter mechanism
to be added. For the former, the user has to rush to the shooting
site after operating the shutter release. This may result in an
error in photography shooting in case the user gets late. For the
latter, a remote controller must be carried along with a camera,
which is extremely cumbersome.
[0010] The invention solves such related art problems and aims at
providing an excellent cell phone equipped with a camera arranged
so that the camera shutter maybe automatically operated through
control from another telephone set or cell phone.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0011] In order to attain the object, the invention provides a cell
phone equipped with a camera arranged so that the camera shutter is
automatically operated based on an incoming call signal
corresponding to an incoming call or based on a specific signal
received after a response to the incoming call signal while the
cell phone is in the camera mode.
[0012] The term "all termination" includes incoming call for
receiving a mail, a message and other information as well as
incoming call to initiate a voice call.
[0013] Thus, according to the invention, it is possible, from an
ordinary telephone set or one of a plurality of cell phones, if
any, to operate the shutter of a camera provided on another cell
phone.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0014] FIG. 1 is a general block diagram of a cell phone equipped
with a camera according to an embodiment of this invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the main operation of a cell phone
equipped with a camera according to the embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the main operation of a cell phone
equipped with a camera according to a second embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the main operation of a cell phone
equipped with a camera according to a third embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the main operation of a cell phone
equipped with a camera according to a fourth embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the main operation of a cell phone
equipped with a camera according to a fifth embodiment.
[0020] In the figures, a numeral 1 represents operation means, 2
control means, 3 transmission/reception means, 4 storage means, 5
display means, 6 a camera, 7 an earpiece, 8 a mouthpiece, 9 a
speech circuit, and 10 an antenna.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] Embodiments of the invention will be described referring to
drawings.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a general block diagram showing a cell phone
equipped with a camera according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] In FIG. 1, operation means 1 is a keyboard equipped with a
ten-key pad for dialing and a plurality of keys used to input
characters, symbols and functions. A signal operated and input from
the operation means 1 is applied to control means 2. The control
means 2 is arranged to be controlled by a signal received by the
transmission/reception means 3 as well as information input from
the operation means 1, and control the storage means 4, the display
means 5, the camera 6, and the transmission/reception means 3 based
on the control.
[0024] Numerals 7, 8 are an earpiece and a mouthpiece respectively
and are connected to the transmission/reception means 3 via the
speech circuit 9. A numeral 10 is an antenna connected to the
transmission/reception means 3.
[0025] In FIG. 1, an incoming call is received by the
transmission/reception means 3 and its termination is recognized by
the control means 2. When incoming call is recognized, an incoming
call tone is generated by incoming call tone generating means (not
shown) to notify the user of an incoming call. In this case, a
vibrator may be used instead of the incoming call tone generating
means to notify the user an incoming call through its vibration. A
configuration is desirable where the incoming call tone is
automatically selected in order to avoid vibration to prevent
camera shake in the camera mode.
[0026] When incoming call is noticed and the operation means 1 is
operated in response to the incoming call, the control means 2
instructs the transmission/reception means 3 to seize the circuit.
The transmission/reception means 3 seizes the circuit to allow
conversation with the caller via the mouthpiece 8 and the earpiece
7.
[0027] In the case of call origination, the user dials the
directory number of the distant party and presses a key for call
origination on the operation means 1. The transmission/reception
means 3 originates a call by radio to the called number via the
antenna 10. When the called party answers the call, it is possible
to talk with the called party via the mouthpiece 8 and the earpiece
7.
[0028] The foregoing procedure is a well known operation on a
related art cell phone. In this embodiment, storage means is also
provided to store the names and directory numbers of distant
parties.
[0029] In call origination, the user has only to enter at least the
first several characters of the target destination on the operation
means 1. The control means 2 extracts the directory number of the
destination which matched the input from the storage means 4,
displays the number on the display means 5. operating a key for
call origination transmits by radio a dial signal corresponding to
the target directory number displayed on the display mean 5 via the
antenna 10 under the control of the control means 2.
[0030] In call termination, in case an originating number
transmitted together with a incoming call signal is received, it is
determined whether the originating number matches the directory
number of the caller stored in the storage means 4 under the
control of the control means 2. In case a match is obtained, the
name or directory number of the caller, or both, are displayed on
the display means 5. Otherwise, that fact that matching is not
obtained is displayed on the display means 5.
[0031] In this embodiment, the camera 6 is provided. By operating a
predetermined key on the operation means 1, it is possible to shoot
an image before the camera 6, display the shot image on the display
means 5, and store the image into the storage means 4, under the
control of the control means 2.
[0032] When a predetermined key on the operation means 1 is
operated as a general operation, a cell phone equipped with a
camera according to the embodiment enters the camera mode. The
camera mode refers to a mode where shooting of an image before the
camera 6 is allowed by using the camera 6. The camera mode is
provided to discriminate itself from the general telephone mode
where power supply to the camera 6 and application of a control
signal are halted.
[0033] In the camera mode, when a predetermined key on the
operation means 1, that is, a key for shutter operation is
operated, the shutter of the camera 6 is operated at that moment to
shoot an image before the camera 6. The shot image is stored into
the storage means 4. The image can be arbitrarily read by the
operation of the predetermined key on the operation means 1 from
the storage means 4 and displayed on the display means
[0034] Next, remote operation of the shutter of the camera 6 will
be described.
[0035] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when incoming
call takes place (S201: YES) in the camera mode (S200: YES), the
incoming call is detected by the control means 2, and the shutter
of the camera 6 is automatically operated (S202) and the image
before the camera 6 is shot (S203) under the control of the control
means 2. The shot image is stored into the storage means 4 under
the control of the control means 2 (S204). Thus, It is possible to
arbitrarily read shot images and display the images on the display
means 5 by operating the predetermined key on the operation means
1.
[0036] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the camera
mode (S300: YES), it is determined whether a number for identifying
the caller, for example an originating number transmitted together
with the incoming call matches the directory number of the caller
previously stored in the storage means 4. In accordance with the
determination result, the shutter of the camera 6 is automatically
operated (S302) only in case a matching is obtained (S301: YES).
The subsequent operation is the same as that in the first
embodiment so that the detailed description is omitted.
[0037] In this case, an incoming call only from a specific caller
is addressed. This prevents the shutter of the camera 6 from being
inadvertently operated by incoming call from others as much as
possible.
[0038] In particular, such a cell phone equipped with a camera is
desirably arranged so that it will address incoming call from only
limited callers. Thus, the data on the specific callers may be
stored into the storage means 4, separately from the names and
directory numbers of distant parties used for ordinary call
origination and incoming call display.
[0039] In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, answering means
to automatically answer an incoming call (S401: YES) in the camera
mode (S400: YES) is provided. After the line is seized and the call
is answered by the answering means (S402), a predetermined
specification signal for shutter operation is transmitted from the
distant party. Only in case the signal is received (S403: YES), the
shutter of the camera is operated in accordance with the
specification signal (S404). The subsequent operation is the same
as that in the first embodiment so that the detailed description is
omitted.
[0040] In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in the camera
mode (S500: YES), it is determined whether a number for identifying
the caller, for example an originating number transmitted together
with the incoming call matches the directory number of the caller
previously stored in the storage means 4. Answering means to
automatically answer an incoming call which matched the comparison
in accordance with the determination result (S501: YES) is
provided. After the line is seized and the call is answered by the
answering means (S502), a predetermined specification signal for
shutter operation is transmitted from the distant party. Only in
case the signal is received (S503: YES), the shutter of the camera
is operated in accordance with the specification signal (S504). The
subsequent operation is the same as that in the first embodiment so
that the detailed description is omitted.
[0041] In the third and fourth embodiments, the specification
signal may be a predetermined signal defined by a manufacturer in
advance or may be arbitrarily defined by the user on the operation
means 1. In this practice, respective users may set the
specification signal and notice the signal to the partner, and
operation of the shutter will address incoming call from the
partner correctly, which minimizes unnecessary operations.
[0042] In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in the camera
mode (S600: YES), in case an incoming call (S601: YES) is answered
(S602) then, after a predetermined signal is received and incoming
call from a specific party is verified (S603: YES), in case a
picture signal transmission instruction signal is received (S604:
YES), a picture for monitor shot by a camera is transmitted to the
telephone set of the caller via the transmission/reception means 3
and the antenna 10 (S605) under the control of the control means 2.
The shutter of the camera 6 is operated (S607) when an instruction
signal for shutter operation is further transmitted from the caller
and received (S606: YES). The subsequent operation is the same as
that in the first embodiment so that the detailed description is
omitted. In this configuration, the caller can operate the shutter
of the camera while monitoring the picture. This assures
photography shooting at a better moment.
[0043] The picture signal of a picture shot with the camera 6 and
stored into the storage means 4 may be arbitrarily read by the
operation on the operation means 1 and displayed on the display
means 5. In case that the picture signal are transmitted to the
telephone set of the caller, the distant party may be called
through operation on the operation means 1 and the picture signal
read from the storage means 4 may be arbitrarily transmitted using
the transmission/reception means 3 under the control of the control
means 2. In this case, transmission may be via the Internet or
E-mail as well as ordinary telephone lines.
[0044] Another configuration of the embodiment is possible where,
with an incoming call answered and line seized, a picture signal is
read from the caller, an instruction signal to instruct
transmission is transmitted, and when the signal is received, the
picture stored in the storage means 4 is automatically read based
on the instruction signal and transmitted to the telephone set of
the caller via the transmission/reception means 3.
[0045] With this configuration, the state of the user's home is
easily monitored using a cell phone at the user's home from another
cell phone the user carries. For this purpose, a cell phone
equipped with a camera according to the embodiment requires means
for transmitting the instruction signal.
[0046] While the invention has been described in detail referring
to specific embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize
that various changes and modifications can be made in it without
departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
[0047] This patent application is based on the Japanese Patent
Application filed Jun. 29, 2001 (the Japanese Patent Application
No. 2001-198713), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
Industrial Applicability
[0048] As mentioned hereinabove, according to the invention, the
shutter of a camera attached to a cell phone is automatically
operated based on incoming call to the cell phone. Even when you
travel with friends of yours or your family, provided that at least
two members have respective cell phones, one cell phone is placed
in the camera mode and the shutter of the camera mounted on the
cell phone is remotely operated from the other cell phone. This
eliminates the trouble of asking someone else at the photography
shooting site to press the shutter button.
[0049] According to the invention, the shutter of the camera is
operated when an incoming call arrives through telephone lines.
Thus a remote control using an infrared ray is not required and the
resulting configuration is very simple.
* * * * *